Join two retirees for house and garden projects and learn new skills near the Pyrenees in Aurignac, France

Infos

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  Description

  We are both retired. I am English and Patrick is French, I speak both English and French and Patrick is French and speaks only French.
  Patrick is a retired master carpenter, retired since 2019. He is still very active and has just moved to this area from Provence where he was engaged in renovating a medieval chateau and has just finished the roof and shutters on a large provencal manoir. He is also an active member of the French Ancien Combattants also the UNP (French National Union of Parachutists) having been in the Parachute Regiment stationed in Montauban in the late 70's and early 80's from where he was engaged in active duty in the Middle East, and he formed his association (Theogales) whereby his carpentry work's profits go towards helping soldiers injured in combat.
  Patrick is actively involved in large projects around this house which is being renovated, He is making a wood framed conservatory extension and also a pool house for our swim spa. he has a lifetime of experience teaching carpentry which is his great passion.
  
  I am passionate about mosaics and had a small workshop in my last home which I am in the process of unpacking and setting up here. I also like stones and minerals and love beach-coming and vide greniers, so I have lots of finds which I like to incorporate into my mosaics. I have given workshops in both beading and mosaics and hope to do more in our new home.
  
  I have just moved to a much bigger house near the Pyrenees which is walking distance from a small up and coming trendy country town with all amenities and fab views of the Pyrenees.
  The house is very run down and so we are having electricians, and plumbers working on and off at present. It has a big garden and so there is lots to do and a fair amount of help is needed.
  
  In February we lost our roof in the big hurricane which affected this part of France quite badly. And so I now have rooms to empty to make way for repairs, and lam feeling a bit lost on that one, and badly needing help. There will also be help needed for decorating which the electrics have been fixed.
  
  
  When not helping out at the house, in the local town there is a cinema, local brasserie, restaurants shops and a nice social club. The scenery around is stunning and so there is no shortage of places to walk and visit. There are busses and the train station is only a ten minute drive away, so we can take and pick up if needed.

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  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Projets artistiques

  Jardinage

  Bricolage et construction

  Cuisine/repas pour la famille

  Aide à la maison

  Entretien général

  Aide informatique/internet

  Garde de maison et d'animaux
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  Centres d’intérêt

  

  Technologie

  

  Films et télé

  

  Bénévolat

  

  Photographie

  

  Musique

  

  Architecture

  

  Jardinage

  

  Menuiserie

  

  Bricolage / artisanat

  

  Art et design
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  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  I am happy to share what I know about beading, bead weaving and wire work I really like making ear wires and earrings. But my main love will be introduction to mosaic and pic assiette. I will be making pic assiette tiles and maybe pebble mosaic slabs for the garden.
  Patrick is a fantastic wood worker and general builder, plumber etc. Happy to share all he knows, with a lifetime of teaching behine him, he is well experienced in helping people settle in and learn the trade.

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  Aide

  There is a choice of things to do here to suit how folk most like to help out.
  
  
  We need help making the rooms liveable in our new home - paper stripping ready for re- papering and decorating. I am having trouble with my arms and cannot lift anything over 5 kilos so need lots of help moving and unpacking boxes. Our garage was a jumbled mess and I am halfway through sorting it out, Its emptied into a tent and I need help with shelving and putting it back nicely.
  I need help in the house to clean and maybe cook, so I can set up my mosaic workshop - also help drilling and erecting stuff in various areas is badly needed.

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  Langues parlées

  Anglais: Courant
  Français: Courant

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  Hébergement

  The house is large and although there are bedrooms to spare, they all need work and are in the process of being stripped. So all the rooms will have to swap about a little according to work being done - but the helper guest room will always be relatively comfy and sufficiently cooled in summer or warm in winter.
  We have a swim spa which is heated and which you will be welcome to use.
  Guests will certainly be welcome to join in and help with meal preparation will be greatly appreciated. We have a big gas fired barbecue outside with hobs and its used all year round. We like Indian, English, French we both love traditional as well as trying new things. Exchange of culinary skills is most welcome.

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  Autres infos...

  You will need your own transport if you want to go exploring the mountains, although there are trains and buses which we can help you to get to and from. The town is about 700 metres from the house. And there is a big municipal pool, a camp site, restaurants, supermarket, post office, cinema, small brasserie (we are told the beer is good) and many other small shops. Doctors surgery and pharmacy are also to be found in the town which is trendy country town about an hour south of Toulouse, about 30 minutes from St Gaudens and has fab views of the Pyrenees.
  We tend to live a fairly quiet life, we do love to play petanque, and are quite competitive, we like music, but we don't like it overpowering.
  On days off you will be welcome to stay and soak up the rays in the garden if you wish or if you prefer to go out exploring we can help you with that - there are so many lovely places to visit in the Pyrenees, many of which are just around an hour from us. We love vide greniers (like an English car-boot sale) and you will be most welcome to come along with us.

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  Informations complémentaires

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    Accès Internet

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    Accès Internet limité

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    Nous avons des animaux

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    Nous sommes fumeurs

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    Familles bienvenues

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  Possibilité d’accueillir les digital nomads

  We have fibre, so very fast internet.

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  Espace pour garer des vans

  We have room for camper-vans or full sized motor home if necessary.

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  Possibilité d'accueillir les animaux

  Well trained dogs are welcome. we do NOT allow dogs on our furniture or on beds. Cats are also very welcome.

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  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Deux

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  Mes animaux

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